The changes will extend beyond the new faces arriving at Tucson Electric Park when the White Sox's pitchers and catchers open Spring Training on Saturday in Arizona. There will be competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, which was secure until Freddy Garcia and Brandon McCarthy were traded to stock up on young pitching prospects. The "Gong Show"-like audition of left-handed relievers has been replaced by a competition among power arms hoping to shore up a weakness that was evident as early as last March.

Murmurs from the general managers meetings: After spending three years in Houston, the tag team of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte is weighing some interest from the New York Yankees. Both of the pitching Texans have put the Astros on hold while they consider retirement plans. It will be a shock if they return to New York, but some people believe Pettitte will follow Clemens' lead. . . . The White Sox continue to explore a spring-training move from Tucson to a new complex being discussed by the Dodgers in Glendale, west of Phoenix.

The top leadoff hitter on the free-agent market is interested in the Cubs and White Sox, but there could be a consolation prize in the likely event both teams lose out. Agent Scott Leventhal stressed Wednesday that Chicago would provide an intriguing fit for Gary Matthews Jr., who experienced a breakout season with the Rangers. But the Cubs and Sox are only two of several teams that are attractive to Matthews, 32, who batted .313 with a .371 on-base percentage, 44 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs and 102 runs in 2006.

An out-of-town writer was asking Ozzie Guillen the other day about the White Sox finally catching up to the Cubs in stature. "It's still a Cubs town," Guillen said. Asked later about his remark, Guillen said: "It has to be. Right now there's White Sox fever because we won the World Series, but everyone knows deep, deep down it's still a Cubs town." So what better way to get ready for the first of two spring meetings between Chicago's two teams Saturday at Tucson Electric Park?

An out-of-town writer was asking Ozzie Guillen the other day about the White Sox finally catching up to the Cubs in stature. "It's still a Cubs town," Guillen said. Asked later about his remark, Guillen said: "It has to be. Right now there's White Sox fever because we won the World Series, but everyone knows deep, deep down it's still a Cubs town." So what better way to get ready for the first of two spring meetings between Chicago's two teams Saturday at Tucson Electric Park?

With two of baseball's top sluggers playing ahead of him, Casey Rogowski knows he has one mission in the minors: Improve. It's that simple for Rogowski, the White Sox's top first-base prospect whose best chance to reach the majors may be with another organization. "Anything can happen--you know what I mean?" Rogowski said. "All it takes is one stupid [injury] and all of a sudden I can help or try to help. I hope it doesn't happen." Rogowski is trying to absorb as much as possible from Paul Konerko and Jim Thome, whose contracts run through at least 2008.

Brian Anderson has been facing two persistent questions: - Can he be an adequate replacement for former White Sox defensive stalwart Aaron Rowand in center field? - Can he handle ticket requests from family members and hometown friends? The answers will start to be revealed Wednesday when the Sox open Cactus League play against the Colorado Rockies at Tucson Electric Park. The Sox have other pressing issues, such as finding a second left-handed reliever, a backup outfielder and a middle-inning reliever in the likely event they carry 12 pitchers on their Opening Day roster.

Jim Thome isn't scheduled to play first base in the Cactus League until the middle of March, but the White Sox newcomer remains on schedule to be healthy when the regular season starts April 2. Thome has been participating in fielding drills and said his surgically repaired right throwing arm feels fine. But trainer Herm Schneider said throwing is the last part of Thome's recovery from surgery last summer. He isn't worried. "He's going to play without restrictions," Schneider said.

The finishing touches were being placed on a heroes' welcome Wednesday at windy Tucson Electric Park. A banner honoring the White Sox as 2005 World Series champions hangs outside their clubhouse. Inside, workers were hanging enlarged pictures from the team's first title in 88 years. Already mounted in the foyer is a print of manager Ozzie Guillen hoisting the World Series trophy. And the changes weren't relegated to general manager Ken Williams' off-season deals.